Smart Communications has recorded a 26 percent increase in its revenue to P25.5 billion in 2016 from only P20.2 billion previously, strongly supported by its mobile internet business which saw revenues soaring at 42 percent year-on-year to P17 billion.
The availability of more affordable smartphones in the market, attractive data offers bundled with popular digital content and services, and an upgraded mobile data network has helped Smart meet the growing demands of subscribers for data services, said the Operator in a statement.
Smart's mobile data usage has increased to 148,000 terabytes last year, 49% higher than the year before. To support the rapidly increasing data traffic, Smart is accelerating its roll out of 4G LTE and 3G data networks under a three-year program that includes the use of low-band frequencies such as 700 megahertz.
At the same time, the PLDT's wireless subsidiary is also working with top global smartphone-maker Vivo Mobile Tech in making more LTE-capable handsets available to consumers, as part of Smart's aggressive LTE network roll out across the country.
Gerard Milan, Prepaid Senior Manager for Smart
More LTE devices in the market means that more people will be able to take advantage of and enjoy the powerful LTE network that Smart is putting in place
